1 Do you like to dance? Do you think you would like to be a professional dancer? If you do, you should have some of these skills and interests:

talent and creativity

a good sense of rhythm and timing

enthusiasm and determination to work very hard

ability to focus and concentrate

ability to memorize complicated dance routines

a high level of fitness and stamina

ability to work well with others

2 Do you think you have all these skills and abilities?3 Most dancers have begun their training by age 16. Many start as early as 10 or 11, especially those who want to become ballet dancers. All dancers must continue to train throughout their careers. By 16 or 17, dance students begin to focus on a particular style and decide whether to continue their training with a dance company's school or a college dance program. Most dancers have their first professional auditions by age 17 or 18.